James 1:5

James 1:5 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
• New International Version (NIV)If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
• New King James Version (NKJV)If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
• New Living Translation (NLT)If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

Context of James 1:5

3for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;

James 1:5 word by word

εἰ δέ τις ὑμῶν λείπεται σοφίας, αἰτείτω παρὰ τοῦ διδόντος θεοῦ πᾶσιν ἁπλῶς καὶ μὴ ὀνειδίζοντος, καὶ δοθήσεται αὐτῷ.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• ·δέde · thenG1161
• Ifεἰei · ifG1487
• anyτιςtis · oneG5100
• of youσύsu · youG4771
• lackλείπωleipō · to lackG3007
• wisdomσοφίαsophia · wisdomG4678
• let him askαἰτέωaiteō · to askG154
• ofπαράpara · from/with/besideG3844
• Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• that givethδίδωμιdidōmi · to giveG1325
• to allπᾶςpas · allG3956
• liberallyἁπλῶςhaplōs · without reserveG574
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• upbraidethὀνειδίζωoneidezō · to revileG3679
• notμήmē · notG3361
• himαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846

Cross-references for James 1:5

• Exodus 31:3and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship,
• Exodus 36:1"Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whom the Lord has put skill and intelligence to know how to do any work in the construction of the sanctuary shall work in accordance with all that the Lord has commanded."
• 1 Kings 3:7And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in.
• Job 28:12"But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?
• Proverbs 3:5Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
• Proverbs 9:4"Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" To him who lacks sense she says,
• Jeremiah 1:6Then I said, "Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth."
• 2 Corinthians 2:16to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?
• James 1:17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
• James 3:17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
• James 5:16Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
• 1 Chronicles 22:12Only, may the Lord grant you discretion and understanding, that when he gives you charge over Israel you may keep the law of the Lord your God.
• 2 Chronicles 1:10Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?"
• Proverbs 2:3yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,
• Isaiah 55:6"Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near;
• Jeremiah 29:12Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.

Commentaries on James 1:5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 5If any of you lack wisdom - Wisdom signifies in general knowledge of the best end, and the best means of attaining it; but in Scripture it signifies the same as true religion, the thorough practical knowledge of God, of one's self, and of a Savior. Let him ask of God - Because God is the only teacher of this wisdom. That giveth to all men liberally - Who has all good, and gives all necessary good to every one that asks fervently. He who does not ask thus…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 5If any of you lack wisdom - Probably this refers particularly to the kind of wisdom which they would need in their trials, to enable them to bear them in a proper manner, for there is nothing in which Christians more feel the need of heavenly wisdom than in regard to the manner in which they should bear trials, and what they should do in the perplexities, and disappointments, and bereavements that come upon them; but the language employed is so general…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 5-8James introduces wisdom as a common theme (compare 3:13–18).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 55. English Version omits "But," which the Greek has, and which is important. "But (as this perfect entireness wanting nothing is no easy attainment) if any," &c. lack--rather, as the Greek word is repeated after James's manner, from Jas 1:4, "wanting nothing," translate, "If any of you want wisdom," namely, the wisdom whereby ye may "count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations," and "let patience have her perfect work." This "wisdom" is shown in…Read the comment

Topics related to James 1:5

• Gifts from God
• God
• Ignorance
• Prayer
• Righteous
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Entice
• Fade
• Lack
• Lay
• Liberally
• Lust
• Pure
• Receive

Commentaries on James 1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings